A theoretical proposal is offered concerning individual differences in cognitive processes. The focus is on mental retardation and the comparative problem-solving performance of 'normal' and 'retarded' children. (Author/CS)

Abstracts of 28 research reports are provided. The reports were prepared by investigators for presentation at the 56th annual meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. A broad range of topics related to mathematics education is covered. Ten reports deal with problem solving, four are concerned with instructional methods, three…

The unified theory described in this paper characterizes human reasoning as an information processing system with a hierarchical sequence of components and subtheories that account for performance on successively narrower tasks. Both deductive and inductive theories are subsumed in the unified componential theory, including transitive chain theory…

This booklet on environmental decisions is one of a series in environmental education for grades K-12. The activities contained in this booklet are designed to identify components of complex decision making and to develop the idea of responsibility for decisions. Six basic concepts are listed, along with the behavioral objectives, subject areas,…

This paper begins by reviewing previous research concerning the external validity of mixed-motive games as models of international conflict, interpersonal behavior, and behavior in large-scale social dilemmas. Two further experiments are then described, both of which cast further doubt upon the usefulness of such games as models of any real-world…

This document reports on an educational research study directed towards identifying components necessary for the design of instructional programs to teach problem solving to students in grades 2-8. Thirty eighth grade students utilizing a geology unit from the Individualized Science (IS) program participated in the pilot study reported here.…

A method for solving problems that arise in such areas as teacher/teacher and teacher/student interactions is presented in this document. The first section shows how to write a problem statement that answers the following questions: Who is affected? Who is causing the problem? What kind of a problem is it? What is the goal for improvement?…

Mutual Group Hypnosis is discussed in terms of its similarity to group dynamics in general and in terms of its similarity to a social interaction program (Role Modeling) designed to foster the expression of warmth and acceptance among group members. Hypnosis also fosters a regression to prelogical thought processes in the service of the ego. Group…

The problem-solving performance of young boys and girls was examined in three conditions in which good performance was indicated as being appropriate for boys, for girls, or for both boys and girls. The relations between task scores and five sex-role measures were also examined. As predicted, the boys performed significantly poorer when the task…

This booklet discusses the importance of involving members of the community in public school programs and activities and presents brief profiles of current school programs and policies that are attempting to do so. The author examines in detail the kinds and extent of parent and community interaction with the schools and describes what different…

Characteristics of good problems for primary school children are described and illustrated in discussions of sample problems. A collection of problems meeting these criteria is presented and annotated, and the organization of the classroom for problem-solving activities is discussed. (SD)

Basic computational problems admit several different solution algorithms. A student's choice of method may be related to personal characteristics which also bear on his ability to learn other mathematical techniques and theories. (SD)